Hi! I have read and written a lot about Neurasthenia and also have an Instagram called Fatigue History where I write about the newspaper articles I find on it and other outdated diagnoses. I just want to add that I think it's an unfortunate yet common misconception that what these patients were experiencing was only/mostly related to their mental health. I have read firsthand accounts by patients who were diagnosed with Neurasthenia and they describe many symptoms similar to ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and Fibromyalgia as well as some other present day chronic illnesses. Many others, including ME/CFS patients and Fibromyalgia patients themselves, agree on the similarities in symptoms and how doctors treat us. Neurasthenia patients were viewed as experiencing pain and neurological symptoms at first, but as soon as it was recategorized as a mental health diagnosis a little before mid-twentieth century, patients would receive so much gaslighting from doctors and psychiatrists. I agree with a lot of other points you made in this though!
Hi! I have read and written a lot about Neurasthenia and also have an Instagram called Fatigue History where I write about the newspaper articles I find on it and other outdated diagnoses. I just want to add that I think it's an unfortunate yet common misconception that what these patients were experiencing was only/mostly related to their mental health. I have read firsthand accounts by patients who were diagnosed with Neurasthenia and they describe many symptoms similar to ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and Fibromyalgia as well as some other present day chronic illnesses. Many others, including ME/CFS patients and Fibromyalgia patients themselves, agree on the similarities in symptoms and how doctors treat us. Neurasthenia patients were viewed as experiencing pain and neurological symptoms at first, but as soon as it was recategorized as a mental health diagnosis a little before mid-twentieth century, patients would receive so much gaslighting from doctors and psychiatrists. I agree with a lot of other points you made in this though!
That is a really great point that I failed to address. Thank you for adding that.